Flying-machine.



244. AERONAUTICS R. PLASTINO.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 18, 1911.

1,075,302. Patented Oct. 7, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SKEET 2.

WIT/VESSES: lNl/E/V TOR R 4 M! 51'! Mo ATTORNEY COLUMBI PLANOBRAPH 4:0..WASMINOTON, D. c.

R. PLASTINO.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 18, 1911.

1,075,302, Patented 0011.7, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES:

INVENTOR x I ATTORNEY cgumau PLANodRAPH co.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

244. AERONAUTlCS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ausmo PLASTINO, on NEW YORK, 1v. Y.

FLYING-MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUBINO PLAsrINo, a subject of the King of Italy, residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Flying-Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to flying machines, and particularly to that class of flying machines in which the relative position of the center of gravity and of the sustaining planes of the machine can be varied by the operator.

The object of this invention is to provide a flying machine, havin a central sustaining plane and two lateral sustaining planes, in which said central sustaining plane can be moved longitudinally backward and forward, and in which said lateral sustaining planes can assume different positions, so as to be lowered or raised in relation to the body of the machine.

A further object of this invention is to provide a flying machine having improved geans for controlling its movements in i ht.

still further object is to provided means for insuring the safety of the machine if the same should fall into water.

With these and other objects in view as will more fully be understood as the description proceeds, this invention consists in certain novel constructions and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter described and claimed in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1, is a front view in elevation partly broken away, of my flying machine; Fig. 2, is a plan view from the top, of the same; Fig. 3, is a side view partly sectioned, of the same; Fig. 4, is a detail view of the lever controlling the rudders motion.

My improved flying machine is composed of the boat 1, on which is built a frame 2, to which are attached the sustaining planes and the controlling means of the device.

3, is a motor directly connected with a propeller 4, and attached to the front part of frame 2.

5 and 6 are two lateral sustaining planes pivoted in 7, 8, to frame 2, and controlled and kept in position by wires 9, 10, 11, 9, 10, 11, as will be hereinafter described.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 18, 1911.

Patented Oct. 7, 1913.

Serial No. 628,137.

12 is a central sustaining plane directly over frame 2 having a practically rectangular shape running from front to back of the machine and provided at the two ends with auxiliary planes 13, 14, pivoted in 13, 14, and connected at their sides to main plane 12, by a flexible connection, such as an accordion-plaited strip of fabric.

15, 16, are two floats or hollow bodies attached underneath sustaining planes 5, 6, by means of posts, 17 l8, pivotally attached in 19, 20, to said lateral planes.

21, 22, are two rudders, one at each side of frame 2, the motion of which can be controlled simultaneously or independently at the will of the aviator.

To better understand the construction of my improved flying machine, I shall now proceed to describe in detail the various mechanisms controlling the movements of the above mentioned parts.

On frame 2, is built a derrick-like frame 23, projecting above central plane 12 and provided at its top with two rows of sheaves 24, 25, there being one sheave for each wire sustaining lateralplanes 5, 6. These lateral planes can be swung as stated, around points 7, 8, by means of wires 9, 10, 11, 9, 10, 11, fixed at different points and at different distances from points 7, 8, to said lateral planes. It is obvious that for a given motion of said planes the run or takeup of the different wires will be difl'erent according to the diiferent distances at which same are attached to said planes from points 7, 8. I have provided a disposition whereby the motion of the two lateral planes will be obtained simultaneously and in a like manner, viz.,if lateral plane 5, should be lowered to a given angle, plane 6 will be also lowered to the corresponding angle. On a frame 26, inside of the boat is revolubly mounted a row of sheaves 27, of different diameters, proportional to the different runs or take-ups of the wires sustaining the lateral planes. The motion of said sheaves is controlled by means of a worm and gear 28 operated by shaft 29, and hand wheel 30.

To illustrate the way of controlling the motion of lateral planes 5, 6, let us examine for instance the way of connecting and directing wires 10, 10; starting from point 31, in lateral plane 5, wire 10, runs to its corresponding sheave in row 24, then to an idler 32, and to a second idler 33, attached to the bottom of the boat and from here to the lower side of lateral plane 6 at a point 31, located at a position symmetrical to point 31. Wire 10 starts fro-m upper part of lateral plane 6 at 31, runs on its corresponding sheave on row 25, then to idler 32, idler 34, to its corresponding sheave on row 27, circling the same all around, then to idler 35, and to lower part of lateral plane 5, at point 31. It will be readily seen that by turning hand wheel 30, row of sheaves 27, will be caused to rotate, pulling wires 9, 10, 11, in one direction or another causing the simultaneous raising or lowering of planes 5, 6. The same will remain permanently at any desired position as the disposition shown of worm and gear is not reversible and no force exerted by the wires on sheaves 27 will cause the same to rotate.

The posts of derrick like frame 23, pass through central plane 12; and this being longitudinally movable with regard to frame 2, is accordingly provided with slots 36, for the passage of said derrick-like frame posts. The drawings show central plane 12, in its rear position which is the normal position in flight and in dotted lines show the same removed to the forward position. To this object underneath said plane, are provided two racks 37, 37 which are in mesh with two pinions 38, 38. Said pinions are mounted on a shaft 39, supported by brackets 40, 40, fixed on a transverse board 41, attached to frame 2. The rotation of said shaft 39 and consequent motion of plane 12, are obtained by means of a sprocket wheel 42, mounted on said shaft, operated by means of another sprocket wheel 43 and chain 44. Sprocket wheel 43 is mounted in a convenient position for the aviator and is provided with levers 45, 45.

- Pins 46, 46 are used as a convenient means that the longitudinal motion of plane 12 cans of fixing levers 45, 45 in position as shown in Fig. 3. To cause plane 12, to assume the forward position, pins 46 are removed, sprocket wheel 43, revolved by means of lever 45 or 45, until lever 45 will reach the intermediate position between pins 46, when the same are inserted in place. The drawings also show central plane 12, provided with two auxiliary planes, 13, 14, at the two ends, pivoted at 13, 14. Normally while the machine is in flight, said auxiliary planes are kept open as shown in dotted lines on a level with plane 12; but when desired the same may be closed as shown in full lines on the drawings, thus obtaining a better air-cushion underneath the plane. To operate said auxiliary planes, the same are provided with a geared segment 47, 47 in mesh with worms 48, 48, mounted on shafts 49, 49. Between bearings 50, 50, on brackets 40, bevel gears 51 are keyed to, and slidably mounted on shafts 49, 49, so

be efiected without difficulty. Bevel gears 51 are operated by means of bevel gears 52, shafts 53 and handles 54. By revolving either one by hand, auxiliary planes 13, 14, can be swung around their fulcrums, and the same will remain in any desired posi tion. To facilitate the motion of plane 12, the same is provided with flanges 55, 55, having a horizontal web held between sets of rollers 56, mounted on boards 57 attached to frame 2. Controlling planes 21, 22, are pivoted in 58, 58, to the corresponding operating shafts, 59, 59, and in 60, 60, are connected with a universal joint to posts 17, 18. As stated said posts, 17, 18, are pivotally attached in 19, 20, to lateral planes 5, 6, and follow the motion of the same.

61, 61, are two brackets attached to a board 62, in which is mounted a shaft 62, in line with shafts 59, 59. The two ends of shaft 62, are provided with a disk 63, abutting against a disk 64, on the end of its shaft 59, 59. Disk 64, is provided with a lever 65, and a radial opening 66, is provided half on each disk so that a pin 67, inserted in the same will lock the two disks together. Said pin 67, is attached to the rod 68, which can be moved longitudinally on lever 65, by means of a crank lever 69. A spring 70, holds the same in position. lVhen it is desired to move the two controlling planes simultaneously, one of the levers 65 is operated without removing pin 67 from its housing; shafts 59, 62, and 59 being thus left connected, the two controlling planes will move together. When it is desired to move only one of the controlling planes, the corresponding lever 65, is operated pressing lever 69, so as to cause the disengagement of pin 67 this coming out of its housing 66, the movement will be limited to the corresponding controlling plane.

By means of the disposition just described, I am enabled to use the controlling planes 21, 22, both as lifting planes and as rudders; in fact by moving the two together, a lifting or lowering effect is obtained, while in leaving one of the planes parallel to its corresponding sustaining plane and operating the other one, an eccentric pressure will be created on the device which will cause the same to turn on the side of the controlling plane which offers more resistance to the motion.

To prevent rotation of shaft 62, which might be due to the pressure of air against the surfaces of planes 21, 22, or to weight of levers 65 on said shaft 62, I provide a disk (not shown), on which I exert a pressure by means of brake collar 71, attached to bracket 61, this disposition being altogether similar to that usually seen in presses and 244. AERONAU HUS 12 forward, adds much to the safety of the device, as in this case the weight of the same will be more evenly distributed between the fore and aft parts of said plane 12, which acts thus like a parachute.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In an aeroplane, the combination of a body, lateral sustaining planes on each side of said body, longitudinal guide-ways, a central sustaining plane movable longitudinally in said guide-ways, and means for moving said central plane in said guideways, whereby the center of resistance and thereby the angle of incidence of said central plane may be varied, said central plane having auxiliary planes at both ends, and means for varying the angle of incidence of said planes independent of the variation of said central plane. a

2. In an aeroplane, the combination of a body, lateral sustaining planes on each side of said body, longitudinal guide-ways, a central sustaining plane movable longitudinally in said guide-ways, and means for moving said central plane in said guideways, whereby the center of resistance and thereby the angle of incidence of said central plane may be varied, said central plane having an auxiliary plane at an end, and means, fixed upon the main framework of the machine and permitting movement of said central plane, for varying the angle of incidence of said plane independent of the variation of said central plane.

3. In an aeroplane, the combination of a body, lateral sustaining planes on each side of said body, and a central longitudinally extending sustaining plane, said lateral sustaining planes being pivoted longitudinally of the body, and means for adjusting the lateral inclination of said lateral planes, said means comprising wires attached to said lateral planes at difierent transverse points and a series of pulleys of different diameters around which said wires pass, the diameters of said pulleys being proportioned to the amount of run or take-up in the several wires when the lateral planes are moved.

4. In an aeroplane, the combination of a body, lateral sustaining planes on each side of said body, and a central longitudinally extending sustaining plane, said lateral sustaining planes being pivoted longitudinally of the body, and means for adjusting the lateral inclination of said lateral planes, said means comprising wires attached to each side of one of said lateral planes at different transverse points and running over pulleys to corresponding points on the other sides of the other of said lateral planes, the pulleys over which the wires from one side of one of the planes pass being of different diameters propor tioned to the amount of run or take-up in the several wires when the lateral planes are moved, and means for moving said pulleys of different diameters simultaneously.

5. In an aeroplane, the combination of a body, lateral sustaining planes on each side of said body, and a central longitudinally extending sustaining plane, said lateral sustaining planes bemg pivoted longitudinally of the body, and means for adjusting the lateral inclination of said lateral planes, said means comprising wires attached to each side of one of said lateral planes at different transverse points and running over pulleys to corresponding points on the other sides of the other of said lateral planes, the pulleys over which the wires from one side of one of the planes pass being of difi'erent diameters proportioned to the amount of run or take-up in the several wires when the lateral planes are moved, and a worm and worm-wheel for moving said pulleys of different diameters, said pulleys being movable together.

6. In an aeroplane, the combination of a body, lateral sustaining planes on each side of said body, said lateral sustaining planes being pivoted longitudinally of the body, and means for adjusting the lateral inclination of said lateral planes, and stabilizing planes attached at their inner ends to said body and at their outer ends to said movable sustaining planes.

7. In an aeroplane, the combination of a body, lateral sustaining planes on each side of said body, said lateral sustaining planes being pivoted longitudinally of the body, and means for adjusting the lateral inclination of said lateral planes, and stabilizing planes mounted on ointed shafts supported at one end by said body and at their other end by said movable sustaining planes.

8. In an aeroplane, the combination of a body, lateral sustaining planes on each side of said body, said lateral sustaining planes being pivoted longitudinally of the body, and means for adjusting the lateral inclination of said lateral planes, and stabilizing planes attached at their inner ends to said body and at their outer ends to rods pivotally attached to said movable sustaining planes.

9. In an aeroplane, the combination of a body, lateral sustaining planes on each side of said body, said lateral sustaining planes being pivoted longitudinally of the body, and means for adjusting the lateral inclination of said lateral planes, and stabilizing planes attached at their inner ends to said body and at their outer ends to rods pivotally attached to said movable sustaining planes, and floats on the lower ends of said rods.

10. In an aeroplane, the combination of a body, lateral sustaining planes on. each side of said body, said lateral sustaining planes being pivoted longitudinally of the body, and means for adjusting the lateral inclination of said lateral planes, and stabilizing planes attached at their inner ends to said body and at their outer ends to said movable sustaining planes, and means for independently or simultaneously moving said stabilizing planes.

11. In an aeroplane and in combination with a frame and with two longitudinally pivoted lateral sustaining planes, means for simultaneously raising or lowering the same, floating means attached to the same to prevent the sinking of the device when falling into water, a longitudinally movable central sustaining plane, and means for causing the same to assume different positions with re gard to said frame, substantially as described.

12. In an aeroplane and in combination with a frame and with two longitudinally pivoted lateral sustaining planes, means for simultaneously raising or lowering the same, transversely pivoted controlling planes at each side and underneath said sustaining planes, pivoted connection between said controlling planes and said frame and between said controlling planes and said sustaining planes, means for simultaneously or independently operating said controlling planes, a longitudinally movable central sustaining plane, and means for causing the same to assume different positions with regard to said frame, substantially as described.

13. In an aeroplane and in combination with a frame and with two longitudinally pivoted lateral sustaining planes, means for simultaneously raising or lowering the same, transversely pivoted controlling planes at each side and underneath said sustaining planes, pivoted connections between said controlling planes and said frame and between said controlling planes and said sustaining planes, means for simultaneously or independently operating said controlling planes, a central sustaining plane, a transversely pivoted auxiliary plane at the front and rear ends of the same, and means for independently operating said auxiliary planes around their fulcrums, substantially as described.

14. In an aeroplane in combination with a frame, and with two longitudinally pivoted lateral planes, means for simultaneously raising or lowering the same, two transversely pivoted controlling planes, one at each side and underneath said sustaining planes, pivoted connections between said controlling planes and said frame and between said cont-rolling planes and said sustaining planes, means for simultaneously or independently operating said controlling planes, a longitudinally movable central sus taining plane, means for causing the same to assume different positions with regard to said frame, a transversely pivoted auxiliary plane at the front and rear ends of the same, means for independently operating said auxiliary planes, and floating means attached to said lateral sustaining planes to prevent the sinking of the device when falling into water, substantially as described.

15. In an aeroplane in combination with a frame and with two longitudinally pivoted lateral planes, means for simultaneously raising or lowering the same and for fixing the same at different positions, two transversely pivoted controlling planes, one at each side of the frame and underneath said sustaining plane, pivoted connections between said controlling planes and said sustaining planes and between said controlling planes and said frame, shaft transversely mounted in correspondence with said two controlling planes, means for independently connecting or disconnecting said controlling planes from said shaft, a longitudinally movable central, sustaining plane, sets of rollers holding the same and guiding its motion, hand operated geared means for causing the same to assume different positions with regard to said frame, a transversely pivoted auxiliary plane at the front and rear end of said central plane, geared segments attached to said auxiliary planes, worms operating said segments, hand operated geared means controlling the motion of said worms and floating means attached to said lateral sustaining planes to prevent the sinking of the device when falling into water, substantially as described.

RUBINO PLASTINO.

lVitnesses GUIDO SACERDOTE, TULLIO V. GIARA.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

